Navigating Google’s AI-Powered Search: What It Means for Your Search Results

Ever searched for something on Google and got your answer before even clicking a link? That’s the future of search, and it’s already here.

What is Google AI Mode?

An informational & conversational tool to improve search experience and provide in-depth summaries and actionable insights catered to the user’s requests. Google’s AI Mode isn’t just a new feature; it’s a paradigm shift in how consumers discover, evaluate, and interact with information.

How is it different from AI Overviews in Google Search?

AI Overviews, which you may have seen impacted both Google Ad Placement and Organic Rankings on the SERP (search engine results page), are viewed as a “prototype” to AI Mode. Those quick, condensed answers to questions or brief summaries were Google’s way of experimenting with further automation in their platforms. In short, overviews walked so AI Mode could run.

Where does it pull information from?

A handful of different sources, including Google Search itself (which spans the web), other internal sources like Knowledge Graphs Google Maps, your personal data (if you’re searching while logged in), LLM’s like Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude etc, high-authority resources like .org’s and .edu’s, and even User-Generated Content (UGC) found via Google Reviews, Reddit, TikTok, etc. Think of AI Mode as “SuperSearch”.

What are “zero click” searches?

Zero click searches arose from the combination of changes in user behavior over time + the implementation of AI in the search platform. These clicks occur when a user finds the information they need without actually clicking a link; this is directly a cause of AI Overviews, and will most likely continue to increase with AI Mode. In 2024, 65% of all searches on Google were zero click. In 2019, pre-AI, that number was 50%. We were heading in this direction, but AI got us there faster (the number has been around 65% for the last few years). See below for an example of a zero click search:

But aren’t I missing out on valuable traffic?

That depends on your KPI’s. Zero click searches tend to be low intent; usually just trying to get a quick answer. Higher intent searches (examples; gyms near me, weekend activities in Miami for kids, new homes for sale) will follow the traditional paths of searching & clicking links. People that want or need something will still click to call or submit a contact form.

What does Google say about the future of search?

• AI in search is an evolution, not a replacement
  • Liz Reid, Google’s new Head of Search, explains that AI is designed to enhance traditional search—not eliminate it.
  • The goal is to guide users into deeper web exploration, not keep them confined within AI-generated answers.
• More starting points, not fewer
  • AI-powered results aim to introduce users to a broader range of content sources they may not have otherwise encountered.
• High-quality content still matters
  • AI Overviews frequently link to news sites, blogs, government pages, and niche publishers.
  • Google prioritizes content that is accurate, helpful, and aligned with user intent—even within AI-generated summaries.
• Ad integration is evolving too
  • Ads will remain part of the AI search journey, but will be contextually integrated—not just tacked on.
  • Reid emphasized that relevance and transparency will be key in how ads are presented in AI-driven experiences.
  • The aim is to provide value to advertisers without disrupting the user experience.

How will AI impact the future of paid search?

In a multitude of ways, and most of them are positive. Google generates anywhere from 75-90% of their revenue from advertising (Search, YouTube, etc), and are currently growing other parts of the pie such as Cloud, Subscriptions, Platforms, and Devices. With overall ad revenue rising year over year ($238B in 2024), it’s safe to say that Google will leverage AI to help generate more revenue. The downfall there is that it may come at the cost of advertisers, as higher CPLs are good for Google. That puts the emphasis back on us as an agency to stay on top of trends & technology, helping you get the most bang for your back.

At Peak Seven, we stay ahead of the curve so you don’t have to. Whether it’s crafting content that wins visibility in zero click landscapes or optimizing paid campaigns for the AI era, we help you turn change into competitive advantage.